DIRECTV-12 is similar to DirecTV-10 and DirecTV-11, but features a 17/24 GHz BSS payload carrying the moniker RB-2A. It is planned to be co-located with SPACEWAY-1 and DirecTV-10 at or very near 102.8W. The spacecraft carries 131 Ka-band transponders for nationwide service and local programming. The communications payload uses two 9.2-foot [2.8-m] reflectors and nine smaller antennas. DIRECTV-12 is expected to increase DirecTV's national HD channel capacity to over 200 channels. The satellite is
designed to operate for 15 years.